Surname Westin - Meaning and Origin
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Westin: What does the surname Westin mean?
The last name Westin or Wes-tin can have a few different origins. It can be derived from an old English word meaning “western town” or “west settlement,” indicating that someone with Westin ancestry may have originally come from a western location. It can also be an Old Norse variant of the name Weston, which itself is derived from an old English word meaning “west settlement.” In addition, the last name Westin could be an Anglicized version of the German “wesen”, meaning “destiny” or “fate”.
The Westin family name often had agricultural or manual labour roots in the old days. Westins were often men who worked in trade or the livestock industry. Westin merchants in Medieval Europe could have included traders, innkeepers, tanners, or farmers. Westin religious communities were known for being particularly devout of the Anglican faith.
The Westin surname is found extensively in the United States and across Europe, particularly in England. Immigrant Westin ancestors arrived in America early in the 1600s as part of England's great colonial expansion already established in the New World. In more recent history, some Westins have become famous such as actor Matt Westin, the former anchor for NBC's Today Show.
No matter its original origin or current history surrounding the Westin surname, many Westins today are still proud of their ancestral roots. Those with the Westin name can pay homage to their past and celebrate their family’s lineage with pride.
Order DNA origin analysisWestin: Where does the name Westin come from?
The last name Westin is most commonly found in the United States, Australia, Canada and England. It is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘west’ meaning “western” and ‘tun’ meaning “town”, making the name mean someone living in the west of town.
The Westin name has particularly been found in the United States in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Virginia. The earliest instance of the Westin name in the United States was the birth of William Westin, in 1620, in the colony of Virginia. Similarly, the earliest reference to the name in Australia goes all the way back to the eighteenth century, where the father of an Australian family adopted the last name Westin.
In modern times, the surname has also been particularly found in the English towns of Lancashire and Cumbria, especially in the town of Lancaster, as well as spreading to the farthest reaches of England and Wales.
Today, the last name Westin is used across the world and is particularly popular in the United States, with over 7,000 individuals using the name. Across all countries the name is most commonly found, the number totals over 15,000 individuals, with a long and proud history.
Variations of the surname Westin
Westin, Westen, Weston, Weston and Westin are the main variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Westin. Westin is a patronymic (derived from the father's first name) English surname that originated in the Middle Ages and is derived from the name of the father, Westin. Westin itself means a “western” or “westerner” and was a term used to refer to someone who lived in or came from the west.
The surname Westin is also spelled as Westen, Weston, Weston and Westin. The spelling with the middle ‘n’ is often used in Merseyside as well as parts of Cumbria. The spelling with the middle ‘e’ is particularly popular in Cheshire and Shropshire and the spelling with the middle 'o' is mainly found in Cornwall and Devon.
Westin or Westen is also a Norwegian-American surname that is derived from the Greek word “westin” or “westen” which means “westerner”. Westin as a last name is more frequently used in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden and is generally seen in villages located near the Swedish border.
The earliest known record of the Westin surname dates back to the Middle Ages, when an individual carrying the name William de Westen was documented in the 12th century in Cheshire.
Overall, the surname Westin is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal name West; which was popularly used as a given name in the Middle Ages and also referred to someone living in or near the west. Its variants and spellings are Westen, Weston, Weston and Westin.
Famous people with the name Westin
- Kim Westin: Former singer-songwriter and the former spouse of Aerosmith’s frontman Steven Tyler.
- Jon Westin: Music artist best known for his EDM and rap collaborations.
- Dean Westin: Actor best known for his role as Officer Boster in the television drama series “Blue Bloods.”
- Anders Westin: Swedish voice actor and former singer.
- Sean Westin: Award-winning cinematographer whose work has spanned feature films, music videos, and commercials.
- Alexa Westin: American fashion designer worked as a custom clothing designer for movie productions and celebrities.
- Lori Westin: Self-taught illustrator whose work has been featured in fashion and home decor magazines, books, and exhibitions.
- Jesper Westin: Swedish pop singer who gained fame through his YouTube channel.
- Meagan Westin: Multi-industry professional who has done various projects from writing songs and performing as an artist to managing production for major music labels.
- David Westin: American lawyer and former president of ABC News.